🔗 Share this article Why Real Madrid Possess 'Total Confidence' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven games for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old makes club a historic moment in a key European match against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. In only his first start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the fifteen-time Champions League winners secured a three-nil last-16 first leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his Real debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then helped Los Blancos overcome the English champions in the midweek return to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder was the team's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing star Vini Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent From The Academy This talent is the most recent to come through from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most exciting protegees. He joined Madrid from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a strong impression. Pitarch worked his way up to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they played against the senior squad, then coached by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who took over from the previous coach in January. Reports would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," adding he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, personality and determination he brought to the team. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Personality' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up Pitarch to practice with the senior squad and awarded him minutes in pre-season. However, it was the change in manager that became the defining moment in his career as he came on as a late substitute in both ties against the Portuguese side that led to the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the very first time I began playing football, each day you go to train and every day you play a match," said Pitarch after his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the best team in the planet and in the best competition." Handed a starting debut in La Liga against Getafe - where he spent four years after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the next four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has seized it with performances that have belied his age and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast player, and you can see what he's capable of," remarked the coach. "He's incredibly energetic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also stood out to his coach. "His standout trait is his personality," added Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the possession, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize fans might be surprised to see him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had total trust in him to perform his normal game. "Thiago will keep receiving opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to have a talent like him." A Future International Decision Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised fully immersed in the local game, moving through local academies before joining the club's famous youth academy. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, offering him the option to represent either country at the highest level. Under international regulations, players may appear for multiple nations at junior level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they play in a competitive senior international match. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the U19 and under-20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where La Roja made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to either senior national team, who are watching his progress with interest. In a recent interview, the player confirmed: "I haven't made my ultimate choice so far. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. Whereas teenage Lamine opted for Spain, Diaz opted to represent the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 victory at City, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to help the club chase future success. Following his notable contributions so far on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "The manager treats me the same. We deal with it very normally. I try not to overanalyze it too much - I must deserve my playing time on the field," he commented following the success at Manchester.
The teenager has featured in seven games for the Spanish giants, featuring five starts. When an 18-year-old makes club a historic moment in a key European match against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and attention. In only his first start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the team - the young midfielder suitably impressed as the fifteen-time Champions League winners secured a three-nil last-16 first leg advantage at the Santiago Bernabeu. The teenager, who also made his Real debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then helped Los Blancos overcome the English champions in the midweek return to secure a last eight berth. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder was the team's youngest player to begin two matches in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing star Vini Jr's previous mark by a week and a half. Rapid Ascent From The Academy This talent is the most recent to come through from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most exciting protegees. He joined Madrid from Leganes in the summer of 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe's youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he rapidly created a strong impression. Pitarch worked his way up to the B team and it was in a pre-season game in which they played against the senior squad, then coached by Arbeloa, where the youngster is said to have drawn the eye of the current Real boss, who took over from the previous coach in January. Reports would later describe the moment as "an instant connection," adding he excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the energy, personality and determination he brought to the team. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Personality' In the summer of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up Pitarch to practice with the senior squad and awarded him minutes in pre-season. However, it was the change in manager that became the defining moment in his career as he came on as a late substitute in both ties against the Portuguese side that led to the meeting with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the very first time I began playing football, each day you go to train and every day you play a match," said Pitarch after his first appearance. "I have just fulfilled my dream with the best team in the planet and in the best competition." Handed a starting debut in La Liga against Getafe - where he spent four years after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the next four as fitness issues to Bellingham and Dani Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has seized it with performances that have belied his age and inexperience. "He's a extremely fast player, and you can see what he's capable of," remarked the coach. "He's incredibly energetic, with excellent stamina, work-rate and mobility." The player's mindset has also stood out to his coach. "His standout trait is his personality," added Arbeloa. "He constantly demands the possession, and even under pressure, he remains unfazed. "I realize fans might be surprised to see him make his debut in a Champions League match, but he is selected because I had total trust in him to perform his normal game. "Thiago will keep receiving opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to have a talent like him." A Future International Decision Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised fully immersed in the local game, moving through local academies before joining the club's famous youth academy. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan nationality, offering him the option to represent either country at the highest level. Under international regulations, players may appear for multiple nations at junior level without being locked in, with the final decision only final once they play in a competitive senior international match. Pitarch has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, representing both the U19 and under-20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where La Roja made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to either senior national team, who are watching his progress with interest. In a recent interview, the player confirmed: "I haven't made my ultimate choice so far. Things are great with the Spanish federation, but I'll make a conclusion in the near future." This scenario echoes that of other bi-national players such as Real team-mate Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. Whereas teenage Lamine opted for Spain, Diaz opted to represent the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future At present, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He featured for over an hour in the 2-1 victory at City, which completed a 5-1 overall triumph and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. His substitution by fellow youth graduate in Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to help the club chase future success. Following his notable contributions so far on the Champions League, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "The manager treats me the same. We deal with it very normally. I try not to overanalyze it too much - I must deserve my playing time on the field," he commented following the success at Manchester.